What I Did On My Summer Vacation (Or getting a handle on your vises)

I think when I last provided an update on the work table project it was April and I was working on the mortise and tenon joints for the base. Then I got the ($600) bandsaw and learned to use it for the tenons with much better results. I started to say “and faster” but let’s … Continue reading What I Did On My Summer Vacation (Or getting a handle on your vises)

Its Just a Phase

Fifth Law of Engineering in the Post-Reagan Era – The best counter to high tech is often a lot of low tech. * I have for some time wanted a large (or larger) bandsaw. I have a little 12-inch Craftsman with a 1/3 horsepower motor on it and it does really well with thin stock … Continue reading Its Just a Phase

Making a Joint

Making …not rolling The table project continues, albeit slowly. I got sidelined for a bit with the arrival of a 20-inch bandsaw and its need for 3-phase power. * More on that later once I actually get a blade on it. But I got brave a few days ago and cut the first mortise and … Continue reading Making a Joint

The Big Glue-Up

So today it warmed up enough and I had time to do the glue-up on the table top for the work table. As mentioned in the “Bodock” post I clamped this up for a couple of weeks to make sure the pieces fully adjusted to a tight fit. And I also, before that, drilled for … Continue reading The Big Glue-Up

Bodock

So last October a tree – or rather part of a tree – fell across a fence on the hillside. The limbs hit the ground and held it off the fence (surprisingly). The tree in question was a: Tennessee – “Bodock” Texas (and I think Oklahoma) – Bodark Other places - Bois d'arc Still other … Continue reading Bodock

A Trip to Mecca (sort of)

Every major faith has its Pilgrimage I suppose. The Christians go to Jerusalem, the Mormons go to Salt Lake City, The Muslims go to Mecca, and I guess Baseball folks go to Cooperstown. For Bird Dog folks its Grand Junction Tennessee, home of the National Bird Dog Museum and the Ames Plantation. Its just east … Continue reading A Trip to Mecca (sort of)

The Bucket List

I used to have a bucket list. While it has always included the bucket, * it used to have a lot of other stuff on it too. I did all of that. I rode some really good horses, hunted over some really good bird dogs, dived some amazing dive spots...I guess that was it. Short … Continue reading The Bucket List

Who We Are

Once upon a time I had the distinct privilege to work for a Brigade Commander by the name of Leon E. Salomon. A Colonel when I knew him, he went on to retire as a full General. He was everything an officer should be. He was, first and foremost, a gentleman. He was well read. … Continue reading Who We Are

A Visit to Cumberland Caverns

So today we made an outing to McMinnville, Tennessee and toured the Cumberland Caverns. Discovered around 1810 this cave network runs for some 27 miles! Much of that is not open to the public and is left alone for preservation reasons. We'll touch on that again as we go. As the story goes, a guy … Continue reading A Visit to Cumberland Caverns

Karl Marx and the Heisman Trophy

"Religion is the opiate of the masses." - Karl Marx Karl saw organized religion as providing some opiate-like relief to the poor working class. In his view it provided some illusion from the world they lived in and alleviated their immediate pain and suffering as would opium for a person in pain. He worked during … Continue reading Karl Marx and the Heisman Trophy